Mousa, the chief secretary, indulged in some suppressed laughter at this joke. Iskander smiled.
If they retreat we must assuredly attack them, observed Iskander, musingly. I have a persuasion that Hunniades and myself will soon meet.
If there be truth in the Prophet! exclaimed Karam. I have no doubt of it. Hunniades is reserved for you, Bey. We shall hold up our heads at court yet, Iskander. You have had letters lately?
Some slight words.
No mention of us, of course?
Nothing, except some passing praise of your valour and discretion.
We do our best, we do our best. Will Isa Bey have Ãtolia, think you?
I have no thoughts. Our royal father will not forget his children, and Isa Bey is a most valiant chieftain.
You heard not that he was coming here? inquired Karam.
Have you? responded the cautious Iskander.
A rumour, a rumour, replied Karam. He is at Adrianople, think you?
It may be so: I am, you know, from Athens.
True, true. We shall beat them, Iskander, we shall beat them.
For myself, I feel sanguine, replied the Prince, and he arose to retire. I must at present to my men. We must ascertain more accurately the movements of the Christians before we decide on our own. I am inclined myself to reconnoitre them. How far may it be?
There is not room to form our array between them and the mountains, replied Karam.
Tis well. Success attend the true believers! By to-morrows dawn we shall know more.
CHAPTER 4
Iskander returned to his men. Night was coming on. Fires and lights blazed and sparkled in every direction. The air was clear, but very cold. He entered his tent, and muffling himself up in his pelisse of sables, he mounted his horse, and declining any attendance, rode for some little distance, until he had escaped from the precincts of the camp. Then he turned his horse towards one of the wildest passes of the mountain, and galloping at great speed, never stopped until he had gained a considerable ascent. The track became steep and rugged. The masses of loose stone rendered his progress slow; but his Anatolian charger still bore him at intervals bravely, and in three hours time he had gained the summit of Mount Hæmus. A brilliant moon flooded the broad plains of Bulgaria with shadowy light. At the base of the mountainous range, the red watch-fires denoted the situation of the Christian camp.
Iskander proceeded down the descent with an audacious rapidity; but his charger was thorough-bred, and his moments were golden. Ere midnight, he had reached the outposts of the enemy, and was challenged by a sentinel.
Who goes there?
A friend to Christendom.
The word?
I have it notnay calmly. I am alone, but I am not unarmed. I do not know the word. I come from a far country, and bear important tidings to the great Hunniades; conduct me to that chief.
May I be crucified if I will, responded the sentinel, before I know who and what you are. Come, keep off, unless you wish to try the effect of a Polish lance, continued the sentinel; tis something, I assure you, not less awkward than your Greek fire, if Greek indeed you be.
My friend, you are a fool, said Iskander, but time is too precious to argue any longer. So saying, the Turkish commander dismounted, and taking up the brawny sentinel in his arms with the greatest ease, threw him over his shoulder, and threatening the astounded soldier with instant death if he struggled, covered him with his pelisse, and entered the camp.
They approached a watch-fire, around which several soldiers were warming themselves.
Who goes there? inquired a second sentinel.
A friend to Christendom, answered Iskander.
The word?
Iskander hesitated.
The word, or Ill let fly, said the sentinel, elevating his cross bow.
The Bridge of Buda, instantly replied the terrified prisoner beneath the pelisse of Iskander.
Why did not you answer before, then? said one of the guards.
And why do you mock us by changing your voice? said another. Come, get on with you, and no more jokes.
Iskander proceeded through a street of tents, in some of which were lights, but all of which were silent. At length, he met the esquire of a Polish knight returning from a convivial meeting, not a little elevated.
Who are you? inquired Iskander.
I am an Esquire, replied the gentleman.
A shrewd man, I doubt not, who would make his fortune, replied Iskander. You must know great things have happened. Being on guard I have taken a prisoner, who has deep secrets to divulge to the Lord Hunniades. Thither, to his pavilion, I am now bearing him. But he is a stout barbarian, and almost too much for me. Assist me in carrying him to the pavilion of Hunniades, and you shall have all the reward, and half the fame.
You are a very civil spoken young gentleman, said the Esquire. I think I know your voice. Your name, if I mistake not, is Leckinski?
A relative. We had a common ancestor.
I thought so. I know the Leckinskies ever by their voice. I am free to help you on the terms you mentionall the reward and half the fame. Tis a strong barbarian, is it? We cannot cut his throat, or it will not divulge. All the reward and half the fame! I will be a knight to-morrow. It seems a sort of fish, and has a smell.
The Esquire seized the Shoulders of the prisoner, who would have spoken had he not been terrified by the threats of Iskander, who, carrying the legs of the sentinel, allowed the Polish gentleman to lead the way to the pavilion of Hunniades. Thither they soon arrived; and Iskander, dropping his burthen, and leaving the prisoner without to the charge of his assistant, entered the pavilion of the General of the Hungarians.
He was stopped in a small outer apartment by an officer, who inquired his purpose, and to whom he repeated his desire to see the Hungarian leader, without loss of time, on important business. The officer hesitated; but, summoning several guards, left Iskander in their custody, and, stepping behind a curtain, disappeared. Iskander heard voices, but could distinguish no words. Soon the officer returned, and, ordering the guards to disarm and search Iskander, directed the Grecian Prince to follow him. Drawing aside the curtain, Iskander and his attendant entered a low apartment of considerable size. It was hung with skins. A variety of armour and dresses were piled on couches. A middle-aged man, of majestic appearance, muffled in a pelisse of furs, with long chestnut hair, and a cap of crimson velvet and ermine, was walking up and down the apartment, and dictating some instructions to a person who was kneeling on the ground, and writing by the bright flame of a brazen lamp. The bright flame of the blazing lamp fell full upon the face of the secretary. Iskander beheld a most beautiful woman.
She looked up as Iskander entered. Her large dark eyes glanced through his soul. Her raven hair descended to her shoulders in many curls on each side of her face, and was braided with strings of immense pearls. A broad cap of white fox-skin crowned her whiter forehead. Her features were very small, but sharply moulded, and a delicate tint gave animation to her clear fair cheek. She looked up as Iskander entered, with an air rather of curiosity than embarrassment.
Hunniades stopped, and examined his visitor with a searching inquisition. Whence come you? inquired the Hungarian chieftain.
From the Turkish camp, was the answer.
An envoy or a deserter?
From the Turkish camp, was the answer.
An envoy or a deserter?
Neither.
What then?
A convert.
Your name?
Lord Hunniades, said Iskander, that is for your private ear. I am unarmed, and were I otherwise, the first knight of Christendom can scarcely fear. I am one in birth and rank your equal; if not in fame, at least, I trust, in honour. My time is all-precious: I can scarcely stay here while my horse breathes. Dismiss your attendant.
Hunniades darted a glance at his visitor which would have baffled a weaker brain, but Iskander stood the scrutiny calm and undisturbed. Go, Stanislaus, said the Vaivode to the officer. This lady, sir, continued the chieftain, is my daughter, and one from whom I have no secrets.
Iskander bowed lowly as the officer disappeared.
And now, said Hunniades, to business. Your purpose?
I am a Grecian Prince, and a compulsory ally of the Moslemin. In a word, my purpose here is to arrange a plan by which we may effect, at the same time, your triumph, and my freedom.
To whom, then, have I the honour of speaking? inquired Hunniades.
My name, great Hunniades, is perhaps not altogether unknown to you: they call me Iskander.
What, the right arm of Amurath, the conqueror of Caramania, the flower of Turkish chivalry? Do I indeed behold that matchless warrior? exclaimed Hunniades, and he held forth his hand to his guest, and ungirding his own sword, offered it to the Prince. Iduna continued Hunniades, to his daughter, you at length behold Iskander.
My joy is great, sir, replied Iduna, if I indeed rightly understand that we may count the Prince Iskander a champion of the Cross.
Iskander took from his heart his golden crucifix, and kissed it before her. This has been my companion and consolation for long years, lady, said Iskander; you, perhaps, know my mournful history, Hunniades. Hitherto my pretended sovereign has not required me to bare my scimitar against my Christian brethren. That hour, however, has at length arrived, and it has decided me to adopt a line of conduct long meditated. Karam Bey who is aware of your necessities, the moment you commence your retreat, will attack you. I shall command his left wing. In spite of his superior power and position, draw up in array, and meet him with confidence. I propose, at a convenient moment in the day, to withdraw my troops, and with the Epirots hasten to my native country, and at once raise the standard of independence. It is a bold measure, but Success is the child of Audacity. We must assist each other with mutual diversions. Single-handed it is in vain for me to commence a struggle, which, with all adventitious advantages, will require the utmost exertion of energy, skill, and patience. But if yourself and the King Uladislaus occupy the armies of Amurath in Bulgaria, I am not without hope of ultimate success, since I have to inspire me all the most urgent interests of humanity, and combat, at the same time, for my God, my country, and my lawful crown.
Brave Prince, I pledge you my troth, said Hunniades, coming forward and seizing his hand; and while Iskander and Hunniades live, they will never cease until they have achieved their great and holy end.
It is a solemn compact, said Iskander, more sacred than if registered by all the scribes of Christendom. Lady Iduna, your prayers!
They are ever with the champions of the Cross, replied the daughter of Hunniades. She rose, the large cloak in which she was enveloped fell from her exquisite form. Noble Iskander, this rosary is from the Holy Sepulchre, continued Iduna; wear it for the sake and memory of that blessed Saviour who died for our sins.
Iskander held forth his arm and touched her delicate hand as he received the rosary, which, pressing to his lips, he placed round his neck.
Great Hunniades, said the Grecian Prince, I must cross the mountains before dawn. Let me venture to entreat that we should hear to-morrow that the Christian camp is in retreat.
Let it be even so, said the Hungarian, after some thought, and may to-morrows sun bring brighter days to Christendom. And with these words terminated the brief and extraordinary visit of Iskander to the Christian general.
CHAPTER 5
The intelligence of the breaking up of the Christian camp, and the retreat of the Christian army, soon reached the Divan of Karam Bey, who immediately summoned Iskander to consult on the necessary operations. The chieftains agreed that instant pursuit was indispensable, and soon the savage Hæmus poured forth from its green bosom swarms of that light cavalry which was perhaps even a more fatal arm of the Turkish power than the famous Janissaries themselves. They hovered on the rear of the retreating Christians, charged the wavering, captured the unwary. It was impossible to resist their sudden and impetuous movements, which rendered their escape as secure as their onset was overwhelming. Wearied at length by the repeated assaults, Hunniades, who, attended by some chosen knights, had himself repaired to the rear, gave orders for the army to halt and offer battle.
Their pursuers instantly withdrew to a distance, and gradually forming into two divisions, awaited the arrival of the advancing army of the Turks. The Moslemin came forward in fierce array, and with the sanguine courage inspired by expected triumph. Very conspicuous was Iskander bounding in his crimson vest upon his ebon steed and waving his gleaming scimitar.
The Janissaries charged, calling upon Allah! with an awful shout. The Christian knights, invoking the Christian saints, received the Turks at the points of their lances. But many a noble lance was shivered that morn, and many a bold rider and worthy steed bit the dust of that field, borne down by the irresistible numbers of their fierce adversaries. Everywhere the balls and the arrows whistled through the air, and sometimes an isolated shriek heard amid the general clang, announced another victim to the fell and mysterious agency of the Greek fire.
Hunniades, while he performed all the feats of an approved warrior, watched with anxiety the disposition of the Turkish troops. Hitherto, from the nature of their position, but a portion of both armies had interfered in the contest, and as yet Iskander had kept aloof. But now, as the battle each instant raged with more fury, and as it was evident that ere long the main force of both armies must be brought into collision, Hunniades, with a terrible suspense, watched whether the Grecian prince were willing or even capable of executing his plan. Without this fulfilment, the Christian hero could not conceal from himself that the day must be decided against the Cross.
In the meantime Iskander marked the course of events with not less eagerness than Hunniades. Already Karam Bey had more than once summoned him to bring the Epirots into action. He assented; but an hour passed away without changing his position. At length, more from astonishment than rage, the Turkish commander sent his chief secretary Mousa himself to impress his wishes upon his colleague, and obtain some explanation of his views and conduct. Mousa found Iskander surrounded by some of the principal Epirot nobles, all mounted on horseback, and standing calmly under a wide-spreading plane tree. The chief secretary of Karam Bey was too skilful a courtier to permit his countenance to express his feelings, and he delivered himself of a mission rather as if he had come to request advice, than to communicate a reprimand.
Your master is a wise man, Mousa, replied Iskander; but even Karam Bey may be mistaken. He deems that a battle is not to be won by loitering under a shadowy tree. Now I differ with him, and I even mean to win this day by such a piece of truancy. However, it may certainly now be time for more active work. You smile encouragement, good Mousa. Giorgio, Demetrius, to your duty!